Wind, Rainstorms Continue In Area; Local Agencies Issue Safety Warnings.

BAY AREA, CA – Friday's rainstorm is set to continue today, according to officials from the National Weather Service.

A wind advisory was issued by the NWS for this afternoon and evening for the North and East Bay hills, the North Bay coast, San Francisco and the San Francisco peninsula coast from 2 p.m. today to 2 a.m. Sunday.

Southerly winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 45 mph are expected near the coast, NWS officials said.

Winds can result in foliage debris and tree damage, leading to isolated power outages.

About 8,300 Bay Area Pacific Gas and Electric customers had lost power at 9 p.m. Friday, including almost 7,000 in the East Bay, PG&E officials said.

NWS officials forecast as much as 0.82 inches of rain in Sonoma County and 0.65 inches in Santa Cruz County by 5 a.m. Sunday.

Sunday rain predictions include 1.49 inches of rain in Santa Cruz County, 0.84 inches in Sonoma County and 0.69 inches in San Mateo County.

Coastal flooding will exacerbate erosion on the coasts, NWS officials said. The public is encouraged to avoid beaches, coastal rocks and jetties.

Wind and rain can create hazardous driving conditions.

By 4 p.m. Friday, California Highway Patrol officers in Marin had received about 55 reports of traffic collisions, mostly due to the wet conditions, CHP officials said.

Drivers should reduce their speed, avoid sudden lane changes and maintain enough space around their vehicles in wet conditions, CHP officials said.

Also see: Slippery When Wet! CHP Reminds You How To Drive In Drizzly Weather and What To Do If Hydroplaning

And for your weekend: This Weekend In NorCal: Half Moon Bay's Famed Pumpkin Fest; Haunted (Very!) Houses; Thomas & Percy Party; Sweet Cake Show

--Bay City News/Morguefile image